Fishing reel



Nov. 7, 1950 E. J. voN PEIN 2,528,925

yFISHING REEL Filed July 10, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l I I i rf@ INVENToR. -zyvyaRDJVU/VE//v BY v A 7' TR/VEY Nov. 7, 1950 E. J. voN PElN 2,528,926

FISHING REEL Filed July 1o, 1946 5 'sheets-sheet 2 HF-fi INVENTOR.-

[17 W'RUJ Va/v 77E/N A TTan/VEY E. J. VON PElN Nov. 7, v1950 FISHING REEL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR. E17 wH/iwJ VHN FE/N Y A T TUR NEY Filed July l0, 1946 Nov. 7, 1950 E. .1.V voN PElN 2,528,926

FISHING REEL Filed July 10, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 w F Xx INVENTOR. Ik A @C BY E27 wHelL/Va/v E/A/ A TTaR/vgy E. J. VON PElN Nov. 7, 1950 FISHING REEL Filed July l0, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. E17 WHQUJ Va/v 77E/N BY ATTD/QNEY Patented Nov. 7, IQS

UNITED STATES- PTENT OFFICE 2,528,926 FISHING REEL Edward J. Von' Pein, Dayton, Ohio Application July 1o, 19.46, seal No. 882,477

One object of the invention is to provide imY proved means for selectively` controlling the pay-l ing out of the line under different shing conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, eificient and easily controlled brake mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanical means for effecting what is known as thumbing to control the paying out of the line in certain types of fishing, which is usually accomplished by pressing the thumb of the operator on the coil of line on the spool.`

A further object of the invention is to provide a brake actuating mechanism which can be quickly and accurately 'controlled by the thumb of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brake which may be set to provide a predetermined yieldable resistance tothe paying out of the line or a positive resistance thereto.

Other objects of the invention may appear as` the reel is described in detail. l y

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1l is a side elevation of a reel embodying my invention, showing the same mounted on the handle of the rod; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the reel; Fig. 3 is a section taken centrally through the spool; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the spool, partly broken away; Fig. 5 is a section taken axially through the hub of the spool; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the spool mounted on the Shaft; Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the frame showing the yieldable retarding means in operative position; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the retarding means of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the frame showing the retarding means in its inoperative position; Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line IU-IU of Fig. 7, looking in the direction ofthe arrows; Fig. 11 is a similar section looking in the Vdirection opposite the arrows; Fig. 12 is a transverse section taken on the line |2-I2 of Fig. 10;

3 claims. (o1. 242-845) frame showing the mounting mechanism and line guide in plan; Fig. 16 is a sectional detail View of the adjusting means for the thumbing lever; Fig. 17 is an elevation of the frame showing the same provided with a modified form of thumbing lever; and Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a portion of the frame showing the same provided with a modified form of supporting bracket.

In these drawings I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, together with certain minor modications thereof, but it is to be understood that the reel as a whole, as well as the several parts thereof, may take various forms and may be assembled in various'ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.-

In the particular embodiment here illustrated the reel comprises a frame 20 having means whereby it may be mounted on the handle portion 2l 'of a shing rod 22. A spool 23 is rotatably supported on the frame at one side thereof,

handle.

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line I 3-l3 of` Fig. 10; Fig. 14 is an elevation ofthe inner side of the frame partly in section;` Fig. 15 is a horizontal section through the lower portion of the the frame being offset from the handle 2| so as to position the reel directly above the latter. The spool may be of any suitable character, and as here shown is of a conventional type except for the means for rotatably supporting the same on the frame. The frame 20 may take various forms, and it is here shown as comprising upright side members 24 and 25 rigidly connected one with vthe other in laterally spaced relation to provide between them a space or housing in which the means for controlling the rotation ofl the spool may be mounted. In the present arrangement the marginal portions 26 of the walls 24 and 25 are deflected inwardly and rigidly secured in contact one with the other, as by bolts 21. The frame may be provided with any suitable means for mounting the same on the rod In the arrangement shown in Figs. 2 and 7 the contacting portions 26 of the side walls 24 and 25 atthe lower end of the frame are of substantial width and are bent laterally to substantially horizontal positions to form a supporting bracket 28. This bracket extends across the rod, as shown in Fig. 2, and may be detachably secured thereto in various ways. In the present porting plate 29 which may, if desired, be ex-V tended about the ,bent portion of the bracket 28 to reinforce'the latter, as shown at 3ll.v Preferably the-handle 2| is provided with a depressed portion 3l, in front of the hand grip or rear end portion thereof, and the bracket and its supporting plate are mounted on this depressed portion of the handle. In the present instance that portion of the plate 29 which lies above the depressed portion of the handle is provided with relatively narrow portions 32 and 33 extending lengthwise of the handle. The portionV 32 extends into a recess 34 at the rear end of the depressed portion 3! of the handle and the part 33 is tightly clamped to the handle, as by means of a clamping band 35 which extends about the part 33 of the plate and the depressed portion of the handle and is provided with a clamping screw 35 by means ofv which the part 33 of the plate may be tightly but detachably secured `to the handle. By loosening the clamp 35 andiVv slipping the same off the part 33 of the plate Athe rear portion 32 may be withdrawn from* the'Y recess 34 and the reel as a whole removed Yfrom the handle.

31, thus enabling the reel to be reversed to locate the frame on the opposite side of the handle.

In Fig. 18 there is shown a modied form of supporting bracket for the frame in which theY rate bracket may be of any thickness 'desirable' to give it rigidity and is supported on the plate 23 and attached tothe part 3| of the handle in the same manner as above described.

Thereel is provided with a line guide which preferably is formed from a section of small diameter rod or wire which is bent upon itself toV provide elongate arms 38, the rear portions 'of which `are secured to the reel supporting structure and the forward portions of which extend forwardly and upwardly from the supporting structure. The forward ends of the arms 38 'are connected one with the other to form a loop through which the line, not shown, extends. In the present instance the connected portions of the arms are bent to form a closed coil or loop 38. The rear endfportions 40 of the arms are supported on the frame supporting bracket, and a clamping plate 4| having lateral flanges 4|a is placed over the arms and is rigidly secured to the bracket and the supporting plate 29 by `the bolts 21, which are extended through the clamping plate 4|. Obviously, if the position of the frame is reversed the line guide can also be reversed so that it will extend forwardly in `either position'of the frame, or if itis desired, the line guide could be provided with two end portions 38 and loops 39, extending in opposite directions.

The spool 23 may be rotatably supported on the Yframe in any suitable manner. Preferably a stationary shaft 42 is mounted on the frame, and as here shown this shaft extends through an opening 43 in the inner wall 24 of Ythe frame and is rigidly secured to the outer wall 25 thereof, as by extending a reduced end portion 44 of the shaft through apertures in the wall 25 and a stiffening member 45 and upsetting the end of the reduced portion of the shaft'or otherwise rigidly securing the same to the wall. Theouter end portion of the shaft 42 extends a substantial distance beyond the side wall24 and is provided with a tapered end 46 and a circumferential As here shown the frame supportn ing bracket 28 is secured to the plate 29 by bolts` 'A groove 41. The spool 23 has a hub portion 48 in which is rigidly secured a bearing 49 adapted to receive the outer end portion of the stationary shaft 42. The spool is removably secured to the shaft, as by a latch 50 having a nose 5| which extends through an opening 52 in the wall of the bearing 49 and into the circumferential groove 41 in the shaft. The latch 5B is carried by a bar |50 pivotally mounted on the spool structure at |5| and having adjacent its other end a pin |52V which extends through a slot |53 in the wall of the spool and is connected by a spring |54 with a stud |55 on the wall of the spool. Thus, when it is desired to remove the spool from the shaft the pin |52 is moved upwardly and the latch withdrawn from the groove in the stationary shaft. Rotatably mounted on the-shaft 42 is a tubular shaft 53 which extends through the opening 43 in the inner frame Vmernber and in the present instance abuts against the .reinforcing member 45 on the outer frame member. This rotatable shaft is of such length that its'outer end may be drivingly connected with the bearing 49 on the spool, as by lugs 54 on the bearing extendinginto recesses 55 in the operates withv theY brake drum to control the a rotation of the'shaft 'and spool. y Preferably the movable brake'member is in the nature of a brake shoe 51` which is'slidably mounted on the l adjacent vwall ofthe'f'rarne; In the construction shown the wall 24 has an opening 58 therein which is closed by anexterior plate 5.9"whichoverlaps the'wall 24Vand is rigidlysecured thereto' by screws B, 'the' wall being provided on its inner surface along the sides of the opening with reinforcingY bars' 6| tol stiffenv the kwall and to provideV screwrholes of proper depth to receive the screws 3U; These reinforcing bars have yen-` larged lower ends 62`to receive and support studs `63 whichproject'outwardly beyondl the wall 24 for a purpose which Will hereafter appear. Rigidly'rconnected with the' closure plate v59` is a channel' member 64 having flanges 65 by means of which it may baconnected with the closure plate, as by bolts 66, a spacer plate 66a being preferably arranged'between the channel member and the closure plateV to position the `flanges 65'0n the inner side` ofthe wall 24. The channel '64 constitutes'a guidew'ay for the brake shoe 51 whichis sup'ported'for vertical sliding movement therein.

The brake membenmay beactuated and theV pressure on the drum controlled by'mechanism of'anysuitabletype, but preferably the controlling mechanism-is such asto `enable theA paying'outof the line to be' controlled in the manner' best adapted to th'eparticula'r type of shing for which the reel is'being'used.Y In the present arrangei'nent'an' adjustable actuating' 'device is provided which VVmay be 'setto' cause thej meansv vvvl'iereby the"4 action 4fof the:` brake In -the present construction there vis slidablyV mounted in the lower portion of ,the guideway 64- a member 61, here shown as a slide block, and interposed between the member 61 and the brake shoe 51 is a compression spring 68. The brake shoe and the member 61 have cooperating parts, such as a stud 69 on the brake shoe and a stud 1U on the member 61, which are normally retained in spaced relation by thespring 68 but will be brought into direct contact to establish a positive conection between the member 61 and the brake shoe when the spring has been compressed to a predetermined extent. Thus, the initial upward movement of th-e member 61 causes the brake shoe to exert a yieldable pressure on the brake drum, which increases progressively until the member 61 contacts the brake shoe. After the member 61 has engaged the brake shoe further pressure exerted on the member 61 will be positively applied to the brake shoe and by the brake shoe to the drum. Any suitable means may be provided for actuating the movable member 61 and for retaining it in selected positions. In the present instance a rotatable cam 1| is supported on the frame below the member 61 with its periphery in contact with the latter. A stud 12 projects from one side of the cam and is rotatably mounted in the inner wall 24 of the housing. A cylindrical member 12a rigid with the other side of the cam has a reduced portion rotatable in the outer wall 25 of the housing, and an actuating member or knob 13 is rigidly secured to the member 12a exteriorly of the housing. The rotation of the knob rotates the cam and a spring 14 interposed between the cam andthe wall of the housing exerts frictional resistance on the cam sulcient to retain it in any position to which it is moved. The knob 13 is provided with indicia, such as a series of numerals from to 5, to indicate exteriorly of the housing the extent to which the spring 68 has been compressed. When the cam is in the position shown in Fig. 9 the member 61 will be in contact with the lowest or zero portion thereof, and when the cam is rotated clockwise, as in Fig. 8, the spring is gradually compressed and the compression is continued until the desired resistance is offered to the rotation of the spool. As has been stated the cam is automatically retained in this position so that the yieldable resistance remains as adjusted until the position of the cam is manually changed. When the cam is rotated far enough to effect direct connection between the member 61 and the brake shoe, in the present instance to on the knob, the member 61 will have positive connection with the brake shoe and any further rotative elort on the same, in a clockwise direction, will be positively exerted on the brake drum.

This method of control is desirable when the manner of shing is such that a drag is exerted on the line. For example, when trolling from a moving boat the lure and the line which is out exert a drag on the line which tends to cause it to unwind from the reel and thus increase the length of the line beyond that which is desired. To prevent the paying out of the line by the drag the member 61 is adjusted to yieldably press the brake shoe against the brake drum wtih a pressure which will be just suicient to prevent the line from paying out but will not prevent the paying out of the line in case a positive pull is exerted thereon, as when a sh strikes the lure or when the line is caught in an obstruction. The amount of lresistance necessary to prevent the paying out of the 'line depends upon the amount of drag, which in turn depends largely on the vweight of the lure, the amount of line which'has been payed out and the speed of the boat, and the cam is turned until the line ceases to'slip and no further attention is then required until conditions change to increase the drag.

In casting the line is unwound lfrom the reel by the weight of the lure as the latter is cast and the unwinding of the line will impart rotative momentum to the spool which will cause a continued rotation of the spool after the lure has struck the water, thus unwinding additional line which becomes slack and is apt to be entangled. To prevent this overrunning of the "spool, or back lash, it is customary for the operator to press his thumb against that portion of the line which is wound on the reel at the proper time and with sucient pressure to stop the reel at the instant the lure strikes the water. This method is difficult of accomplishment, and only an expert fisherman can successfully use the same. It has been proposed heretofore to provide means for preventing this back lash, but so far as I am informed these means4 all exerted a constant resistance to the rotation of the reel and thus interfered with the casting both as to distance and as to accuracy. I have vprovided means whereby the rotation of the spool, when a cast is made, may be quickly and accurately checked at the proper time through the medium of a thumb lever which can be easily and quickly operated by the hand that grasps the handle of the rod. For this purpose I have provided a lever comprising an arm 15 which is arranged in operative relation to the movable member 61 of the brake controlling mechanism and is thus connected with the brake shoe. When, as in the present instance, this controlling mechanism is mounted in a housing l.the member 61 is provided with a lug 16 Which extends through and beyond a slot 11 in the closure 59 for the opening in the inner side wall 24 of the housing. The arm 15 of the lever is arranged directly below this lug and is pivotally mounted on one of the studs 63 which are mounted on the casing and extend inwardly toward the spool. The stud on which the lever is mounted depends upon the position of the frame or housing with relation to the rod, and the provision of two studs enablesthe lever to be properly located with the frame in either of its positions. A second arm 13 is connected with the arm 15 and extends to a position adjacent the handle in the rear of the reel. The end of this arm is at one sid-e of the handle and to facilitate the operation of the lever there is secured to the arm -18 a stud 19 which extends across the upper portion of the handle in a position in which it may be engaged by the thumb of the hand which grasps the handle while the joint of the thumb rests upon the handle, thereby enabling the lever to be quickly and easily operated and to be very accurately controlled. The arm 18 may be rigid with the arm 15, but it is preferably adjustable with relation thereto to enable the stud 19 to be positioned according to the desires of each operator. Further, it is desirable that the arm 18 should not be of such weight as to overbalance the arm 15 and cause the latter to exert an upward pres-- estates sureonthestudflfl In the present instance 'the lever r 18 is for-med of thin'f sheet'-metal andlis U-shape infcro'ss section, andthe upper". endv portions of the side walls ofthe armate pivotally supported on-the stud which carries--the-'arm The adjustmentmof the arm.18lvvith` rela-V tion to thev arm-'15 may beeffectedin various Ways,and as hereshown a lug uis-rigidly con-f nected with the arm 'l5`adj`acent the laxisfof. the IatterandJ-eXtends between thesidelwallspf the U -shaped arm. An adjusting screwcl 32| is rotatably supportedV on the.arm-18,as 'by a memy ber |83 extending across and.. secured` to*l the edges of the latter, andA this' screw. extends.

through a screwthreadedf'opening'in thellstud 80, so that the'adjustment of they screwwwill4 move the-'arm 'I8 about its pivotal axis andv thus adjust the same with relation to the .arm 15. The screw: isulocked in its adjusted-positionY by anut |582.

In Fig. 1'7lth'ere is shown a modified. form `of l thumb lever inlwhich the arm 82, which extends beneath the lug 'lis angular in form -an'd has'V an upwardly inclined Ipart 83 which isfpivotally mounted on the stud 63, and a horizontal part beneath the lug 16. The second arm 84is of a U-shaped construction similar to that ofthe arm 'ivand is pivoted on the stud 63 Afor movement with relation tothe first-mentioned arm.

`The upper end of the arm `84 is provided withv a partlextending4 along the inclined portion of the arinv 82 and having a cross bar or lug 35 engag ing the lower edge of the inclined part of the lever 82.5. Thus, the movement of the arm 84 will move the horizontalportion of the arm 32- toward the lug 1-6. This horizontal lpart of. the lever is'provided with a screw threaded opening in whichis mounted a screw 86 which veanvbe adjusted kto position the upper end thereof in proper relation to the lug 7-6, thescrew 86 being' retained in adjusted fposition by asetscrew 81.

It is'customary to provide a reel with a so-` called click device which serves toprevent-.the rotation of the spool when there is little or no pull on the'line and which also produces a sound to notify the operatorfwhen the line is paying out. Such ra device may be included in the pres-r ent reel, if desired, and I have shown in Figs;

'7 and 11 a ratchet wheel'S vrigidly secured to the rotatable shaft 43 within the housing and arranged close tofthe outer wall a-thereof. This ratchet wheel has a series of relatively shallow V-shaped teeth. Cooperating with the ratchet wheel is a4 V-shaped pawl` 9| which is pivotally supported on a stud 92 slidably mounted inva slot 93'in Vthe wall 25 and which is provided exteriorly ofthe wall with a knob. 94, thus permitting the pa-vvl to be moved'into and out of engagement with .the teeth of the-ratchet wheel. The pawl is yieldablyheld in an upright lposition by a split' annular spring 95, the `intermediate' portion of which is secured to a block 96 on theA interior of the wall25 and the endsv of which bear against the respective convergingedges of the V-'shaped-pawl, thus retaining the pawl'in Ian upright position but permitting it? to be moved-y into and out of engagementv with thej teeth of the ratchet wheel. When the pawl isk in its operative position the rotation of the spool and of the shaft 53-will rotate the ratchet wheel 9U and cause the teeth thereofA to ride over theY noseof'thepawl, but when there is'little or no pull-on the line'the pawlA will hold the ratchet wheelagainstl rotation and thus prevent anun-- intentionall unwinding ofthe line.

While I have shown and 'described'one embodi'."

ment of my invention, together with certain 1.' A fishingv reel comprising a frame, said fram'efincludingupright side walls spaced apart laterally to form a housing,rv aspoolrotatably -supper-ted at one side of sa-idV housing, a shait'rotatablysupported in said housing and drivingly con-l nected with said spool, a brake drum secured Ato saidv shaft, anI upright'guideway carriedfby 'one oi" said sidewalls beneathxsaidV brakedrum, a brake 'shoe.slidably'supportedfin said guideway, a member slidably supported in said'guideway beneath' saidfbrake shoe, a springl interposedbee tween. said member and. said brake shoe,v saidl spring being compressible' byY said member to` establish a positive connection'betweensaid mem-l` ber and ysaid brake shoe, andmeans for actuatingv said memberto. causesaid. brake shoe to engage` said brake drumv with progressively` increased yieldable pressure-and thenwith positive pres-Iv Sure.

2. A iishingreel comprising a frame, said fram including upright side walls spaced apart laterally to for-mia housing, a spool rotatably supported ,at one side of said housing, a shaft-rotatably sup;

ported in said housing and drivinglyV connected'v with said spool,| a .brake drum secu-red to said shaft, an upright Iguideway vcarried'by one ofsaid side walls-beneath saidbrake drum, a brake shoe slidably supported in said guideway, aV member slidablysupported in said guideway beneath said Abrakeshoe, a spring. interposed between said. member and said brake shoe, said spring.Y beingj compressible by said member to establish` a posi-f tive connection between said member and said brakeshoe, means -within said' housing` for ac-v tuating said. members -to .cause said brake shoe# to engage saidbrake drum with progressivelyfinfv creased yieldable'pressure and -then with positive. pressure. and for retaining said member in aselected position, and manually operable means mounted `exteriorlyl of `said `housing for actuating said member.

3. A'shing reel comprising a frame, said frame including ,upright sidewalls spaced .apart laterally to form a housing, a spool ro tatably'supported atv one side of-said housing, a shaft rota-tably-sup= ported in said housing andhaving driving con-- nection with said spool, a brakedrum secured tou said shaft, one wall of said housing having an,

opening, an exterior closure for said opening de-A tachably securedto. said wall and havingfa slot therein, a. channelplate secured to and remov able with said closure and forming aguidevvay,V

aY brake shoe slidablein Vsaid Aguideway, amembei'` slidable in said guideway' below said brakeI shoe `andi-having a part extendingV through and beyond theslot in sai-d closure, a spring interposed between-said. memberand said `brake shoe, a Gamin saidhousing operatively engaging said .Y

memberfmeans supported exteriorly of said housingzforfactuating said cam, and a manually op@y erabledeviceftoengage said part of said member,l to actuate the same independently of said:

cam. y

l .EDWARD J.'VONfPfE-IN,

(References lon 'folloviing*page)li REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date Zschech Sept. 11, 1883 Titus, Jr Sept. 6, 1887 Smith Jan. 22, 1907 Petry Feb. 5, 1918 Frohmuth et al Nov..22, 1921 Harradine Nov. 29, 1921 Avery June 19, 1923 Number Name Date K Case July 28, 1925 Russell Mar. 17, 1931 Wharteny Sept. 1, 1931 Miller Mar, 24, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 23, 1902 Great'Britain Apr. 2, 1931 France Mar, 19, 1914 

